As Gary Ballance’s former team-mate Graeme Swann mischievously suggested the Yorkshire batsman was only in the England team because he is ‘best mates’ with the captain, it was impossible to escape the fact that the Zimbabwean-born star remains a largely unloved figure.

The Yorkshireman’s latest contribution at No 3, a mildly promising 27 from 37 balls which briefly threatened to counter-punch England back into this contest alongside skipper Joe Root, did little to silence the growing voices who believe he is technically ill-equipped to flourish in the pivotal No 3 position.

The theory, not helped by Swann’s cack-handed assessment in the Test Match Special commentary box, is that Ballance, recalled for the first Test after being dropped for the second time in the winter, is receiving preferential treatment because of his friendship with Root, forged at county level.

Graeme Swann joked Gary Ballance is in the England team because he is ‘mates’ with Joe Root

The Yorkshireman’s latest contribution at No 3, 27 from 37 balls, has not quietened his critics

Ballance and Root briefly threatened against South Africa but major problems remain

RELATED ARTICLES

Share this article

Share

It is nonsense, of course, but the sense that Ballance’s tenure at No 3 is about as secure as Theresa May’s at No10 is inescapable.

His glut of run-scoring at county level, which saw him become only the third player to pass 1,000 first-class runs this season midway through his innings on Saturday, has earned him a third crack after averaging just 19.9 in his previous six Tests.

The lukewarm reception his recall for the first Test at Lord’s received was a reflection of the apathy Ballance’s crabby batting style and limpet-like staying powers engender among England supporters.

In truth, England’s management are likely to keep faith with the left-hander for the remainder of this series, with signs his weight transferral had improved slightly in scoring 20 and 34 at Lord’s.

There are voices who say he is technically ill-equipped to flourish in the pivotal No 3 position

Yet his dismissal, bowled off his pad for 27 prodding half forward and half-heartedly at Vernon Philander, encapsulated the 27-year-old’s lack of conviction at this level.

Australia’s pace attack will not be losing sleep at the prospect of bowling at a player whose overall Test average of 38.3 has been in steady decline over the past two years. However, while largely unloved among the fans, Ballance is popular in the dressing room and backed by Root.

‘It was hard to look past the number of runs Gary has scored this season,’ the captain said before the Test. 'He looks as if his game is in good order and a big score is round the corner.’

Root’s preference for batting at No 4 also leaves England without an obvious alternative for the No 3 spot. The doubts remain, and it is increasingly hard to understand what the question is, if the answer is Gary Ballance.